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When Tom, a hapless greeting card copywriter and hopeless romantic, is blindsided after his girlfriend summer dumps him, he shifts back and forth through various periods of their 500 days "together" to try to figure out where things went wrong. His reflections ultimately lead him to finally rediscover his true passions in life.
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Directed by: Marc Webb
Wirtten by: Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg, Minka Kelly, Matthew Gray Gubler, Rachel Boston, Geoffrey Arend, Chloe Moritz
Producers: Jessica Tuchinsky, Mary Waters, Steven Wolfe, Mason Novick -
This post modern love story is never what we expect it to be -- It's thorny yet exhilarating, funny and sad, a twisted journey of highs and lows that doesn't quite go where we think it will.
Release Date: July 17, 2009
Boy meets girl
Boy falls in love
Girl doesn't
Boy falls in love
Girl doesn't
The Secret of 500 Days of Summer
Marc here. I’m back.
I’m not Marc Webb (the director of 500 Days.) I’m just a fan of the movie.
I rewatched 500 Days of Summer recently. I’ve seen it a few times but I feel like this was the first time I really “saw it.”
I have a new appreciation for this movie.
Tom and Summer—every interaction of theirs tore at me. It’s easy to identify with only Summer or only Tom. But to fully appreciate 500 Days of Summer, I think it’s important to really feel for both of them.
The film’s quality is in its truth and accuracy. Every minor character represents a variety of perspectives on love and relationships. From McKenzie to Tom’s cat-loving, female co-worker.
Most Hollywood movies stereotype these views on love so much that they become unrecognizable (unbelievable?) and the ideas lose their intrigue.
Luckily, here we have a film that doesn’t only appreciate spending time in this thought arena, it’s devoted to it.
I think people are critical of 500 Days of Summer, not because of a personal taste in screenplay, but because of paradigms, or perspectives.
Everyone can really enjoy this film, even if you don’t mesh with one character. Not meshing with a couple—still a solid film. But if your beliefs prevent you from connecting fully with many characters, the film loses its greatness.
So, an “A”, I would give this film.
Only an A because of that potential of a gap between a character and the audience.
But taking into account the unparalleled performance of Joesph Gordon-Levitt and the coolness and grace of director Marc Webb, this one gets an A+.
I could go on. Every actor in 500 Days is underrated. (And, of course, we would have nothing without writers Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber.)
Agree with my review? How did you relate with the characters of 500 Days of Summer?
500 Days of Summer on DVD and Blu-Ray!
The Blu-Ray and DVD release date for 500 Days of Summer is December 22! If you don’t have a Blu-Ray player, buy for one for the holidays because the Blu-Ray edition is a Special 2-Disc Set, loaded with exclusive bonus features!
The 500 Days of Summer DVD and Blu-Ray are both available for pre-order NOW from Amazon! Save up to nearly 40% off retail prices by ordering through these Amazon links (they open in new windows).
Pre-order the DVD
Pre-order the Blu-Ray (Free Shipping!)
Get all the low-down on special features and bonus footage on these discs after the jump! Read More
500 Days of Summer Spoofs
I got this hilarious, but somewhat creepy, video sent to me yesterday: 500 Days of Zankou. Its description is adequate: “A movie about a girl and her love for the best chicken she has ever had. This isn’t your typical love story.”
Now how does that make you feel?
There is a second 500 Days of Summer-themed video after the jump. This one is politcally charged. It’s a commercial produced by Dwight Drake (D) for Governor: 500 Days of Sanford. “Continue reading” to watch it below. The voice-over is right on!
500 Days of Summer Starts a New Fad: Filming in IKEA Stores
I’ve just discovered a new web-video series called IKEA Heights. It’s described as “a melodrama shot entirely in the Burbank California IKEA store.” The best part about it is they film the series without the store staff knowing, so there are hilarious shots with inconspicuous shoppers in the background–sort of like 500 Days of Summer.
Anyway, while not entirely along the lines of 500 Days of Summer, I thought a lot of fans would appreciate this! Check out the first episode of IKEA Heights below and let me know what you think in the comments.
I’ve also included a clip of the IKEA scene from 500 Days of Summer after the cut.
Fan The Fire Mag: Feature and Contest
Fan The Fire Magazine features 500 Days of Summer in their September 2009 edition to celebrate the UK release (September 2!) In addition to a great review and wonderful photos, Fan The Fire is running a contest to win one of three giftbags.
Continue reading for details on prizes and entry!
Clothing from 500 Days of Summer
One way 500 Days of Summer stands out is in the clothing and costumes of the cast. Especially inspiring is the clothes that Zooey Deschanel and Joesph Gordon-Levitt wear.
Hollywood Crush had the opportunity to ask a few questions of the film’s costume designer, Hope Hanafin, who gives some insight into the clothing from 500 Days of Summer.
Did you go only vintage shopping for Summer Finn?
Hope Hanafin: A lot of it is vintage, but there’s still plenty that’s not. Though I have great respect for these romantic comedies where secretaries are wearing Prada, I wanted [“500 Days”] to be kind of the anti-“Sex and the City.” So, Zooey’s wearing clothes that her character really could afford, things are also repeated. Her clothes are a mix of things from [places like] Old Navy, GAP, BCBG and then there’s a lot of vintage. But not all of it was glamorous vintage. She has a Built By Wendy denim skirt and a couple other great things.
Link: Zooey Deschanel’s Retro-Chic Style
What did you think of Zooey Deschanel’s clothing?
Have you been able to find any similar clothes from retailers in person or online?
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